Sugar Cookie Cutouts

Ingredients

1 c. butter

½ c. sugar

1 large egg

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

3 c. flour

½ tsp. baking powder

Directions

In large bowl, with mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until blended. Increase speed to high; beat until light and creamy. At low speed, beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour and baking powder just until blended.

Divide dough into four equal pieces. Wrap each piece with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour or until dough is firm enough to roll. (Or place dough in freezer for 30 minutes.)

Preheat oven to 350°F. On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll one piece of dough 1/8-inch thick. With floured 3- to 4-inch assorted cookie cutters, cut dough into as many cookies as possible; wrap and refrigerate trimmings. Place cookies, 1 inch apart, on a large, ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake cookies 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool. Repeat with remaining dough and trimmings. Frost and decorate cooled cookies as desired.